Today is another glorious winter's day in Cumbria. We have had several days of clear blue skies and heavy frosts. On Wednesday, I climbed Dodd Fell with my son Chris. The landscape was almost Alpine. Breathtakingly beautiful.
Tomorrow we are making history! The 14 churches of our proposed 'Mission Community' will be meeting together at Lorton Street Methodist church for a shared act of worship. It will be the first time we have come together in this way. That is history-making in itself. But it will also be historic in the sense that we will have a shared communion service, with myself, the Methodist and URC ministers presiding together. Under the covenant agreement now in place across the county, ministers may preside at services in each others churches. This will be a very special occasion. Meanwhile, at the Cathedral in the afternoon, that covenant will be further extended as we welcome the Salvation Army into the God for All partnership.
It is also Advent Sunday - a day of looking forward to the Last Things, when Jesus will return as King and Judge of all. It is a day to remember that our world, currently passing through an 'Age of Uncertainty', is not without hope or purpose. As Christians, we are called to put last things first, to resist the temptation to live only for now (illustrated by the Black Friday phenomenon yesterday), and to live the life of heaven on earth. As I noted last week, the Old Testament narrative moves from a Promised Land to a Promised Time. We still need that perspective of looking forward, not so rooted in the present that we forget the things to come. As Brian McLaren puts it, To be alive in the adventure of Jesus is to have a desire, a dream, a hope for the future. It is to translate that hope for the future into action in the present and to keep acting in the light of it, no matter the disappointments, no matter the setbacks or delays. (p80)
Saturday, 26 November 2016
Saturday, 19 November 2016
Stories that Shape Us
'All good things come to an end' is a familiar saying. And tomorrow marks an ending for us in two ways. It is the last Sunday of the Church's liturgical year, as Advent Sunday (next week, 27th) is the beginning. And tomorrow we come the end of Pt 1 of our study book, 'We Make the Road by Walking'. Our all-too-brief walk through the Old Testament comes to an end with the ascension of Elijah, and with that the end of a 'golden age' in Israel's history. Now Elisha picks up his mantle. Similarly, we also read from the Book of Acts about the Ascension of Jesus which was the ending of his earthly ministry and the necessary prequel to the birth of the Church.
I think it has become clear from our Old Testament studies that we are shaped by the stories we read there, from Creation to the Exodus to the Promised Land. We are about to enter the Promised Time, and the birth of the Messiah. The stories in the Gospel are what shape us in our Christian discipleship. Tomorrow's Gospel reading is about the woman who weeps before Jesus, and anoints his feet - right there, in front of everyone at a respectable Pharisee's supper party. Referring to her previous state, Jesus explains that generosity of spirit - so absent in the Pharisee's attitude - is found most in those who have been forgiven much. Entering into her story, as it were, we are perhaps disturbed by her lack of inhibition and moved by this offering of worship and devotion. How much of God's forgiveness have we experienced, and how do we express it? Surely this is what should shape us in our discipleship rather than the hard-heartedness of the Pharisee.
Next Sunday, we take a break from our studies for a special Advent communion service at the Methodist church. The churches of our proposed Mission Community come together for a celebration to mark a milestone in our journey.
I think it has become clear from our Old Testament studies that we are shaped by the stories we read there, from Creation to the Exodus to the Promised Land. We are about to enter the Promised Time, and the birth of the Messiah. The stories in the Gospel are what shape us in our Christian discipleship. Tomorrow's Gospel reading is about the woman who weeps before Jesus, and anoints his feet - right there, in front of everyone at a respectable Pharisee's supper party. Referring to her previous state, Jesus explains that generosity of spirit - so absent in the Pharisee's attitude - is found most in those who have been forgiven much. Entering into her story, as it were, we are perhaps disturbed by her lack of inhibition and moved by this offering of worship and devotion. How much of God's forgiveness have we experienced, and how do we express it? Surely this is what should shape us in our discipleship rather than the hard-heartedness of the Pharisee.
Next Sunday, we take a break from our studies for a special Advent communion service at the Methodist church. The churches of our proposed Mission Community come together for a celebration to mark a milestone in our journey.
Sunday, 13 November 2016
From Ugliness a Beauty Emerges
Remembrance Sunday, and our theme for today could not be more apt. Today, I have taken the service in Broughton, where I live, going on into town this afternoon for the civic gathering around the cenotaph followed by a service (this year) at the Methodist church. This town event is very well attended outdoors, but few come to the service afterwards. Maybe a rethink next year.
We tried today to have all four of our churches observe their 2 minutes silence at 11am with the rest of the nation. At Broughton, we are fortunate that our wireless mikes work well outside the building, enabling older folks to stay inside; while we also now have an extension speaker which enabled us on this occasion to play Last Post & Reveille on the CD player, and have it transmitted outside. Worked perfectly!
In our churchyard we have a war grave: that of Cpl Roland Dalton who died of his injuries at the Somme on 15 November 1916 - 100 years ago on Tuesday. We will be having a short memorial to him around his grave, with school children, on the anniversary day. Cpl Dalton was only 30 years of age. His widow, Esther, was a Broughton lass, and he left behind 3 small children aged 6, 3, and 2 weeks. I wonder if he ever saw his baby? Did they perhaps visit him at the hospital in the 5 days between his return to England and his death?
Telling a story like this makes the reality of war so much more powerful, than simply remembering the numbers of those who died, although watching all those poppy petals fall at the National Festival of Remembrance never ceases to move me. The poppy itself is such a powerful symbol, not just because of its blood-red colour but because of the fact that it grows profusely in areas where the soil has been been broken up and marred. 'From ugliness a beauty emerges.'
In our Bible readings, we have faced the fact that there is much war and violence in the Old Testament, much of it in obedience to a perceived divine command. Take Deuteronomy 7 where the invading Hebrews 'show no mercy' to the seven native tribes who live in Canaan. In the Gospel (Matthew 15) it is as if Jesus heals history with mercy as he not only heals the daughter of a Canaanite woman, but goes on to heal the sick and disabled of that area, and feeds 4000+ people - with 7 baskets remaining. The same number as the tribes originally conquered by the Israelites.
The fullest revelation of God is in Christ, his death and resurrection. One day, there will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain (Revelation 21) as God dwells among not just a chosen race, nor even in a God-man, but among all his people. They will be his people and he will be their God. Meanwhile we live with 'future present' looking forward to that time.
We tried today to have all four of our churches observe their 2 minutes silence at 11am with the rest of the nation. At Broughton, we are fortunate that our wireless mikes work well outside the building, enabling older folks to stay inside; while we also now have an extension speaker which enabled us on this occasion to play Last Post & Reveille on the CD player, and have it transmitted outside. Worked perfectly!
In our churchyard we have a war grave: that of Cpl Roland Dalton who died of his injuries at the Somme on 15 November 1916 - 100 years ago on Tuesday. We will be having a short memorial to him around his grave, with school children, on the anniversary day. Cpl Dalton was only 30 years of age. His widow, Esther, was a Broughton lass, and he left behind 3 small children aged 6, 3, and 2 weeks. I wonder if he ever saw his baby? Did they perhaps visit him at the hospital in the 5 days between his return to England and his death?
Telling a story like this makes the reality of war so much more powerful, than simply remembering the numbers of those who died, although watching all those poppy petals fall at the National Festival of Remembrance never ceases to move me. The poppy itself is such a powerful symbol, not just because of its blood-red colour but because of the fact that it grows profusely in areas where the soil has been been broken up and marred. 'From ugliness a beauty emerges.'
In our Bible readings, we have faced the fact that there is much war and violence in the Old Testament, much of it in obedience to a perceived divine command. Take Deuteronomy 7 where the invading Hebrews 'show no mercy' to the seven native tribes who live in Canaan. In the Gospel (Matthew 15) it is as if Jesus heals history with mercy as he not only heals the daughter of a Canaanite woman, but goes on to heal the sick and disabled of that area, and feeds 4000+ people - with 7 baskets remaining. The same number as the tribes originally conquered by the Israelites.
The fullest revelation of God is in Christ, his death and resurrection. One day, there will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain (Revelation 21) as God dwells among not just a chosen race, nor even in a God-man, but among all his people. They will be his people and he will be their God. Meanwhile we live with 'future present' looking forward to that time.
Sunday, 6 November 2016
Getting Slavery out of the People
This week's theme is a variation of the old proverb: 'you can take a horse to water but you can't make it drink!' The Israelites are free from Pharaoh's tyranny but they still act like slaves. Exodus 13.17-18 are interesting verses for understanding the Exodus. God took the Hebrew people a circuitous route to the promised land: the direct route would have taken them through Philistine territory. At the first sight of opposition, they would have wanted to return to Egypt. Slavery had more appeal than an uncertain future. They had become institutionalised - and the institution was slavery. For us, it is more likely that the way of faith will challenge us than offer us an easy road.
I preached at Kings (New Frontiers/ChristCentral) Church here in Cockermouth this morning. They have been working through Romans of late, so I made a connection with chapter 8 with Paul's emphasis on the freedom to be found in Christ, as adopted sons and daughters of the living God. No longer slaves to fear. It's as if we become institutionalised within our humanity and turn back from the 'adventure of obedience' to Christ.
God gave the Ten Commandments to enable the Hebrews to break free from slavery: a new way of living, along with the various festivals and observances which would give them a new rhythm of life. For Christians, we live by grace rather than by law: the grace which places us within a new relationship with the living God. Why not begin each day with a simple act of prayer: 'Father God, I stand before you today as your beloved child. Help me to live this day as one who stands to inherit all that you have promised your children in Christ.' Against all odds, walking by faith, we will survive - and more: we will learn what it means to be alive. (p53)
I preached at Kings (New Frontiers/ChristCentral) Church here in Cockermouth this morning. They have been working through Romans of late, so I made a connection with chapter 8 with Paul's emphasis on the freedom to be found in Christ, as adopted sons and daughters of the living God. No longer slaves to fear. It's as if we become institutionalised within our humanity and turn back from the 'adventure of obedience' to Christ.
God gave the Ten Commandments to enable the Hebrews to break free from slavery: a new way of living, along with the various festivals and observances which would give them a new rhythm of life. For Christians, we live by grace rather than by law: the grace which places us within a new relationship with the living God. Why not begin each day with a simple act of prayer: 'Father God, I stand before you today as your beloved child. Help me to live this day as one who stands to inherit all that you have promised your children in Christ.' Against all odds, walking by faith, we will survive - and more: we will learn what it means to be alive. (p53)
Saturday, 29 October 2016
God's Recruits
This week, we depart a little from the sermon series we are following from Brian McLaren's We Make the Road by Walking. Although we don't depart that far, it turns out. Chapter 9 is entitled Freedom! and deals with the escape of the Israelite slaves from Egypt (we have moved from Genesis to Exodus). McLaren makes the point that God is on the side of slaves rather than slave owners, and connects the Exodus story with the Passover meal shared by Jesus and his friends. He concludes that then, as now, the followers of Jesus are invited to join with him in the struggle to set others free.
There are many forms of slavery. I have just been reading of a major police operation in Oldham, where immigrants are trapped in various forms of modern slavery. Theresa May has nailed her colours to the mast, in wanting to stamp out people-trafficking. Today, I have been to a teaching day with Bishop James on Christian Lifestyle. We were reminded of the dangers of our present materialistic society and its idolatry of money and possessions. We end up being slaves of what we worship. The message of the Gospel brings freedom to anyone trapped within these or any other form of slavery, as history has shown many times.
Here is where there is a connection with the theme we follow tomorrow. It is All Saints Sunday, and we will be worshipping as a Team at All Saints church. There are many definitions of a saint, from the school boy who said a saint is 'a dead Roman Catholic' to that of Esther de Waal who wrote, 'a saint is a man or woman, sent from heaven, to guide this earthly life.' We will be thinking of Mary, who, if you think about it, has something in common with Moses, leader of the Exodus. Both were chosen by God to be instrumental in the work of joyful liberation. McLaren says this: Often, in the Bible, where there is a big problem God prepares a person or persons to act as God's partners or agents in solving it. In other words, God gets involved by challenging us to get involved.
So maybe another, simple definition of a saint is 'God's recruit'. In the New Testament, the whole People of God are called saints. All of us who bear Christ's name are God's recruits in the ongoing struggle for freedom for all. It is impossible to over-estimate just how important the Christian church is in God's ultimate purpose for creation.
There are many forms of slavery. I have just been reading of a major police operation in Oldham, where immigrants are trapped in various forms of modern slavery. Theresa May has nailed her colours to the mast, in wanting to stamp out people-trafficking. Today, I have been to a teaching day with Bishop James on Christian Lifestyle. We were reminded of the dangers of our present materialistic society and its idolatry of money and possessions. We end up being slaves of what we worship. The message of the Gospel brings freedom to anyone trapped within these or any other form of slavery, as history has shown many times.
Here is where there is a connection with the theme we follow tomorrow. It is All Saints Sunday, and we will be worshipping as a Team at All Saints church. There are many definitions of a saint, from the school boy who said a saint is 'a dead Roman Catholic' to that of Esther de Waal who wrote, 'a saint is a man or woman, sent from heaven, to guide this earthly life.' We will be thinking of Mary, who, if you think about it, has something in common with Moses, leader of the Exodus. Both were chosen by God to be instrumental in the work of joyful liberation. McLaren says this: Often, in the Bible, where there is a big problem God prepares a person or persons to act as God's partners or agents in solving it. In other words, God gets involved by challenging us to get involved.
So maybe another, simple definition of a saint is 'God's recruit'. In the New Testament, the whole People of God are called saints. All of us who bear Christ's name are God's recruits in the ongoing struggle for freedom for all. It is impossible to over-estimate just how important the Christian church is in God's ultimate purpose for creation.
Saturday, 22 October 2016
Rivalry or Reconciliation?
It is with sadness as well as bewilderment we view the current Presidential campaign in the US. Not to mention anguish about the possible outcome. Much has been made of Donald Trump's misogyny, racism, and egotism. In a way, he makes himself an easy target for criticism from many quarters. What should concern us, however, is the character of a would-be leader: the person that stands behind the words and actions. In the case of Trump, it is not just the misogyny, for example, but his infidelity to his wives. It is not just the racism, it is the attitude of superiority he assumes both about himself and about his country. ('Making America Great - again.') This is not to say that Hillary Clinton is whiter than white (forgive the pun): indeed, some American evangelicals support Trump because at least with him you know what you are getting, whereas with Clinton there is suspicion and mistrust. Either way, America will not be getting someone with the integrity and humility of Obama. Whilst he is apparently not regarded as a great President, at least his character seems to be above reproach.
Imagine Trump and Clinton arrive on the stage for a Presidential debate, and he greets her with the words, '...to see your face is like seeing the face of God'! Unimaginable! Two bitter rivals would not be expected to see in each other anything but an enemy. Yet these words are used by Jacob as he greets his twin brother Esau, after years of separation. Jacob is a trickster, a deceiver, who has robbed his (very slightly) older brother of their father's blessing years before. He has been on the run, and now a day of reckoning has arrived.
The night before, Jacob wrestles with an unknown man. Perhaps this man represents his own guilty conscience, or his fear. By the end of the night he is a changed man, with a new name ('Israel' - God struggles) and a limp, after his hip is put out in the struggle. Thus transformed, and weakened, he faces his brother with a wealth of goods to 'buy' his favour. To his surprise - like the father in the story of the Prodigal Son - Esau rushes to greet and embrace him, completely disarming him of any ability to manipulate the situation. And this prompts these words, to see your face...
The world is full of rivalries, with Trump/Clinton being but one obvious example. What we reflect on this week is God's power to transform the hardest heart, to dissolve the bitterness of years. If we want to reflect the image of God, we will choose grace over hostility, reconciliation over revenge, equality over rivalry (McLaren p42)
Imagine Trump and Clinton arrive on the stage for a Presidential debate, and he greets her with the words, '...to see your face is like seeing the face of God'! Unimaginable! Two bitter rivals would not be expected to see in each other anything but an enemy. Yet these words are used by Jacob as he greets his twin brother Esau, after years of separation. Jacob is a trickster, a deceiver, who has robbed his (very slightly) older brother of their father's blessing years before. He has been on the run, and now a day of reckoning has arrived.
The night before, Jacob wrestles with an unknown man. Perhaps this man represents his own guilty conscience, or his fear. By the end of the night he is a changed man, with a new name ('Israel' - God struggles) and a limp, after his hip is put out in the struggle. Thus transformed, and weakened, he faces his brother with a wealth of goods to 'buy' his favour. To his surprise - like the father in the story of the Prodigal Son - Esau rushes to greet and embrace him, completely disarming him of any ability to manipulate the situation. And this prompts these words, to see your face...
The world is full of rivalries, with Trump/Clinton being but one obvious example. What we reflect on this week is God's power to transform the hardest heart, to dissolve the bitterness of years. If we want to reflect the image of God, we will choose grace over hostility, reconciliation over revenge, equality over rivalry (McLaren p42)
Sunday, 9 October 2016
It's Not Too Late
Next Sunday's (16th) readings from Genesis present us with one of the most uncomfortable, disturbing stories in the entire Bible. But we before we come to that, let's begin on a happier note. Abram and Sarai have been promised that through them and their descendants all the peoples of the world would be blessed. Abram receives that promise at 75, with Sarai of similar age. It doesn't seem to occur to him that this sounds a bit impossible: becoming parents at an age when many are grand- or even great-grandparents. They set out in faith anyway. Reality dawns (Genesis 18) with the arrival of heavenly visitors who tell them they will indeed conceive a child. Sarai laughs - and the son who is later born to them is called he laughs (Isaac). The message: in God's economy, it's 'not too late.'
Four chapters later (22) comes the nightmare scenario: Abraham sets off to sacrifice his own son. It's important to remember here that in Abraham's time, this was not as shocking as it is to us. Ancient cultures believed that the highest honour one could pay a deity was the sacrifice of human blood, preferably one's son and heir. This would be a sign of devotion. So Abraham apparently is under that illusion. As the story unfolds, it turns out that God has provided an animal sacrifice instead and the improbable happens: a man intending to sacrifice his son, returns with him just the same. Once again, it is not too late!
McLaren makes the point that the lesson to be learned here (for us, not just Abraham) is that we humans, not God, are the ones who treat our fellow humans cruelly. God needs nothing from us since he provides everything for us (p36). We need not to make God in our own image, but learn God's ways of justice, kindness and humility. This was a tough way to learn a lesson, but it was certainly effective! We always need to be examining our understanding of God.
Currently, we are planning our Christmas services. At the right time, Jesus came. It is never too late!
Four chapters later (22) comes the nightmare scenario: Abraham sets off to sacrifice his own son. It's important to remember here that in Abraham's time, this was not as shocking as it is to us. Ancient cultures believed that the highest honour one could pay a deity was the sacrifice of human blood, preferably one's son and heir. This would be a sign of devotion. So Abraham apparently is under that illusion. As the story unfolds, it turns out that God has provided an animal sacrifice instead and the improbable happens: a man intending to sacrifice his son, returns with him just the same. Once again, it is not too late!
McLaren makes the point that the lesson to be learned here (for us, not just Abraham) is that we humans, not God, are the ones who treat our fellow humans cruelly. God needs nothing from us since he provides everything for us (p36). We need not to make God in our own image, but learn God's ways of justice, kindness and humility. This was a tough way to learn a lesson, but it was certainly effective! We always need to be examining our understanding of God.
Currently, we are planning our Christmas services. At the right time, Jesus came. It is never too late!
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